Now more than ever, the practice of taking breaks needs to be implemented thoroughly with kids in school and at home. Kids may not really understand how constant of a day they are having until they are overstimulated or simply wiped out. It’s always a good idea to keep checking in on them and to help them with a break here and there to make sure they are getting enough rest and relaxation.
Setting Boundaries or Limits
Knowing what is on your kids’ plates on a daily basis can help tremendously in the flow and energy levels of your children. Having a calendar, whether a physical one on the fridge or entering the events on your phone, can help you see how busy they are and where they might be able to benefit from a quick break here and there. Make sure to check in with them throughout the week and see how tired they are, and if they are exhausted, figure out together how you can help give them some free time.
This may mean setting boundaries on after school activities, sports, or even hanging out with friends. Kids are constantly interacting, whether it’s in person or through their phones and social media, so they may not realize when they need some quiet time. Kid’s brains are still growing and developing, even when they graduate from high school, so it’s important to nurture the brain and take breaks so it can better process information and continue growing strong.
Structure
Whether you homeschool or not, you know your children well and know when they have reached their limits. If you do homeschool you can chart the day to make sure they are taking breaks in between lessons and getting that chance to let information sink in, rather than grabbing their phone and watching more videos. See what works best for them as far as time lengths, as some kids may benefit from a few 10 or 15 minute breaks while other kids may be fine with a big chunk of learning, followed by thirty minutes to an hour for a break (maybe including lunch). Give your kids the chance to test a few time frames out and then take that feedback so you can better structure their day and learning to suit their needs. Your kids may think they are fine and don’t need breaks, either, so it’s also important explaining the Why behind these breaks, so your kids are more likely to follow through and utilize them.
Katie Kyzivat